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Pak. reserves right to use n-weapons: Karamat

Rome June 5. Pakistan reserves the right to use nuclear weapons against India in an extreme case, a top Pakistani military envoy told an Italian newspaper in an interview published today.

The Indian army and air force outnumbers Pakistani forces five to one, and ``in an emergency, it is our survival that could be placed in jeopardy", General Jehangir Karamat told the daily La Stampa.

He said atomic weapons were a deterrent, and ``our position is not to use them because it would be irresponsible, but rather to be ready'' in an extreme eventuality.

The general, who has been in Italy since Sunday on a diplomatic mission to explain Pakistan's position in the escalating conflict with India, also plans to travel on to France, Spain and Denmark.

``Tension has never been so high. It is even higher than that which set off the three wars Pakistan has fought with India since both countries became independent in 1947."

— AFP

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